Rai Chairman Marinella Soldi on
Friday chided veteran talk show host Bruno Vespa over Thursday
night's episode of his flagship Porta a Porta show which only
features male pundits on the current abortion debate in Italy
after a government move to let pro-life activists into clinics
to illustrate alternatives to women wanting to end their
pregnancies.
Soldi wrote to Vespa, one of the network's stars, and "recalled
the fundamental role of the public service in particular on such
a sensitive issue and one which directly bears on women's
bodies," Rai sources said.
Rai had said earlier that all the female commentators contacted
to appear on the show had been unavailable.
Vespa replied to Soldi: "Someone (like me) who entrusted the
anchor of the 13:30 news show to three women can'0t be
insensitive to female presences.
"Above and beyond the specific circumstance that I think I have
amply clarified, I recalled that Porta a Porta's reputation
(depends on) hosting very representative politicians.
"Well, there are only five women (PD and M5S) out of 18
presidents, vice presidents and caucus leaders of the top five
parties.
"In any case we'll do everything possible to ensure for women
the roles that they deserve".
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